As the Holbeach Vintage Rally establishes itself further year-on-year at its new site at the junction of Hurdletree Bank and Fen Road, we are gradually expanding the show to the far edge of the field and incorporating more and more exhibits into the show. This year’s theme was Iron Wheels and Tracks which with some artistic licence incorporated modern rubber-tracked John Deere & Cat tractors alongside a wide variety of older agricultural and horticultural equipment.

A few tweaks to the layout saw a smaller fairground than envisaged situated alongside the various craft and beer tents, which then gave the commercials the run of the field right up to the end, but still Jim needed space for a return run opposite. The classic caravans from Wisbech Historic Vehicle Club formed a long line at one end of the cars, and their brethren the Classic Camper Club filled the gap from the stationary engines up to the car park.

A new approach was taken with the trade stands this year insofar as we decided to run them away from the ring in parallel lines to lead people off to other parts of the field. However, it appears that premium ringside positions are valued and were missed so maybe a larger ring next year may generate a few more of these select positions. Also, all mobile catering stands may need to be positioned together in the future for fairness.

The theme section and general tractors positioned at opposite ends of the arena may have given one or two exhibitors who wanted to parade as part of both sections headaches, but with an entrance at each end of the ring this year, surely that could be accommodated without too much hassle and risk to public safety? The steam section this year mustered three each of both full size and miniature engines, and for the first time, we had a public land-train service courtesy of Barry Unwin.

In my own section, the stationary engines, trial provision of water butts for some of the larger engines went down quite well thanks to my steam section colleague and his water bowser, and if all goes well, this may be expanded with a few more next year to encourage some more larger engines to attend.

Rarities to be found around the site included the early International truck from Roy Lipscomb, Case 18-32 tractor from Dave Hastings, Ruston Hornsby carrot-hopper engine from Richard Tinkler, a trio of early Albion vehicles from Richard Robinson, Howard Mino-gapper with spraying attachment from Arthur Vincent, but my favourite seen in action was the incredible rear-wheel steer low-loader on the Franke Volvo F88 which can get into places you wouldn’t think possible.

All-in-all and despite the very cold conditions on Saturday, which seemed more like March or October than June, a successful rally.